Icelandic Summer Festival Survival Guide

Icelandic Summer Festival Survival Guide

Summer in Iceland is always a bit special, mostly because, 1. You never know if it’s actually going to happen and 2. the sun never goes down. The light makes all manner of crazy beautiful things happen. This July we have a bunch of summer time fun festivals waiting your arrival. If you can’t make it this year, keep an eye on our IMX socials as we should have our little spies taking snaps, then mark on your calendars to come for next year!

Eistnaflug Music Festival – July 5 2017Eistnaflug is a metalhead’s dream, many a friend, baby and memory have been made during this unique festival. It all takes place in Neskaupstaður, a quaint little town located in the Norðfjörður fjord on the eastern coast of Iceland. On the weekend of July 5th, the tiny town will nearly double in size as fans from all over the world gather to celebrate the many genres of music. It began as mostly just metal, but has now embraced all other styles catering for most seasoned music lovers.

Over four days, catch over 60 performances by bands in metal, hardcore, punk, rock and indie music scenes. The lineup this year features Icelandic and foreign artists, including Voices, HAM, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Kronika, Grave Superior and more! Grab your tickets now for these incredible nights of music!

EistnaflugSurvival Guide Shortlist:
Bring a warm sleeping bag – it gets cold at night
Have a good attitude, the festival has a strict ‘No Dickheads Allowed’ policy
Take earplugs – it gets LOUD.

Folk Music Festival – July 5 2017If metal is a bit much for you, and folk more your stride, experience the best of Icelandic and Scandinavian folk music all in one cosy little town! From July 5-9, this five-day folk music event will be held at the Folk Music Center in Siglufjordur. The festival consists of 15-20 concerts that are held in different locations all across the town. During the festival, workshops and lectures on handcrafting, music, culture and foreign topics will be available. Icelandic folk dances will also be introduced, along with traditions in music arrangements, vocal improvisation, psalms, children’s songs and more. This festival is perfect for the whole family, so click here for more information.

Folk Music Survival Guide Shortlist:
A good wool sweater
Flask for warm coffee to share
Tambourine to join in

KEXPort – July 14 2017Did someone say free? KEX Hostel and KEXP Radio invite you to experience a free outdoor concert extravaganza with the best contemporary music makers coming out of Iceland right now. What started out as a one-day music marathon in the back alley of Reykjavik’s KEX Hostel in 2012 has now expanded into a popular festival featuring more than a dozen live acts, DJs and more. This year’s lineup is stacked with top notch performers, including HATARI, Florence and the Machine touring band member SiGRÚN, aYia and Daði Freyr, the star of the Icelandic national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, and those bad boys from Fufanu. Click here for more information.

KEXPort Survival Guide:
Bring lots of beer money
You’ll need plenty of stamina, long day of back-to-back great music
Wear your best hipster threads

LungA – 16 July 2017You want magic? This festival will blow your mind. The LungA festival combines the best of music, art and culture through a series of workshops, exhibitions and concerts. From July 16-23, head out to Seydisfjordur in East Iceland for a truly magical/interactive and beyond your wildest dreams experience. The workshops and lectures are targeted to young people who are interested in the many different forms of art expression and creativity. When you’re done with the workshops, enjoy concert performances from Hermigervill, JFDR, Hórmónar, Emmsjé GautiCyber and Daði Freyr. Don’t miss this chance to meet some new people and participate in this celebration of music and the arts! Grab your tickets here.

LungA Survival Guide:
Leave all pre-conceptions about art at home
Wear your wackiest, artiest clothes available
Swimming gear for the excellent local pool

Reykholt Chamber Music Festival – July 28 2017This international music festival is one of the oldest and most established summer festivals in Iceland. Since 1997, the festival is held during the last weekend of July in historic Reykholt, the birthplace of Snorri Sturluson in Borgarfjörður. This year from July 28-30, catch four concerts, lectures, a festive mass and more that celebrate Iceland’s culture and history. Performers include violinists Ari Þór Vilhjálmsson and Þórunn Ósk Marínósdóttir and cellists Sigurgeir Agnarsson and Sigurður Bjarki Gunnarsson. Check out more information on this prestigious summer festival here.

Reykholt Chamber Music Survival Guide:
A clear mind to sit back and enjoy the serenity
A smattering of local composer knowledge to ease the conversation
Your best all back outfit

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